A federal judge is giving serious consideration to granting a new trial to Miami criminal defense attorney William Moran and former Justice Department extradition expert Michael Abbell, whose prosecution for allegedly joining their Cali drug cartel clients in illegal activities sparked controversy among defense lawyers nationwide.
Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Hoeveler called prosecutors and defense lawyers into his chambers Friday to inform them privately of his thinking. Hoeveler apparently is concerned that he erred last summer by dismissing a pro-acquittal juror after he received complaints from other jurors that she was not truly deliberating.
